Folding and slitting machine



EHLIG FOLDING AM SLITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1923 5 Sheets Sheet 1 5 wm m: is N w: w:

vm nu wt h MP R l/VVENTOR A TTORNE Y H. 'EHLIG;

FOLDING AND sLITTmG mcnma Filed Dec, 22, 5 I 3 Sheets -Sheet :s

"/1' YEN TOR Harry Efi/Ig Y A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 28, 1925.

UNITED .S T A T E S 1,535,215 PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY EHLIG, "F PEARL RIVER, YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE E. .SWARlDvSz GOM- PANY, INC., 0.]? YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FOLDING AND SLITTING MACHINE.

Application filed December 22, 1923.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, TIARRY EHLIG, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pearl River, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding and slitting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, forming a partthereof.

My invention relates to for folding and slitting printed sheets or signatures as they are delivered from a printing-press or other like machine, and

the objects of my invention are, amongother things, to provide a machine ofthis type with means by which the rotary cutting bars used for longitudinally slitting the sheets as they are folded may be readily inspected the machine without shifting. 0r disturbing any part of their actuating 'ClGVJCGS or .the mechanism for folding and side-registering the sheets.

Furthermore my improved machine also enables the cutting bars, folding and side registering devices with their actuating mechanism to be readily reassembled in operative position without changing ordisturbing their mutual relations with one an other. A further object is to provide simple and highly e'llicient mechanisms for handling the successive sheets as they are folded and slit by my improved machine in which there are a minimum of operative partsso that dependability, accuiracy of register, mechanical balance andh -gh speed may be attained. These and other objects will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustratea preferred embodiment of my invention 111 which- F 1 is a side elevation with the various parts of my improved machine in an operating position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of one end of the machine :on an enlarged scale. the view being taken on the line 2-2 of machines used.

Serial No. 682,351.

Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 2 shows particularly the folder carriage partially retracted to expose the cutting bars;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one side of the machine with certain parts broken away and parts shown in section; and

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4:"4: of Fig. l' looking in the direction of the arrow.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, the side frames 5 and (3 support the various parts embodied in my machine; as shown in Fig. 1, the delivery tapes 7 travel around the rolls 8 and 9 journalled in the brackets 10 and ll respectively, (only one set being shown) mounted on the side-frames and -6, on which tapes 7v the successive sheets or signatures are carried over the .two cooperating folding rollers 12 and 13 mounted on shafts M- and 15 which are journalled in respectively to rotate the rollers 12 and 13,

the shaft 1 1 being driven by the pinion 2 1 secured thereto, which pinion 2st is driven in turn by the gear-wheel mounted on the transverse cam-shaft 26 journalled in the sideframes 5 and 0. The main "powershaft 27 drives the gear-wheel "25 through a pair of bevel gears 28 and 29 journalled in the bracket 30 fastened *to the side-frame 5. The rock-shaft 20 is oscillated in suitabletimed relation with the folding rollers 12 and 13 by the cam 31 mounted on the shaft 26 which cam engages the cam-roller V 32 pinned to the end of the arm 33 fastened to the rock-shaft 20.

From the under sideof the folding rollers 12 and 13 the folded sheets or signatures are carried by the forwarding tapes 34 passing around the roller 12 and then forwardly around tthe roller 35; the tapes 34: then travel rearwardly over idler roller 36 and tension roller 37 carried 'by the outer end ofthe arm 38 pinned to the side-frame "5.

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Slidably mounted on the side-frames 5 and at the forward end of the machine is the carriage 39 which supports the second folding mechanism and also the sheet-positioning or side-registering mechanisms which are adapted to be shifted forwardly so as to expose the coacting slitting mechanism which comprises suitable rotary cutting bars carrying circular knives to slit longitudinallly the folded sheets or signatures. In the embodiment shown the carriage 39 is slidably held to the side-fran'ies and 0 by the screw-bolts passing through elongated slots a1 into the side-frames, only one set being shown in the figures. The carriage 39 is operated on the side-frames 5 and 6 by means of the rack l2 secured to the under side of the carriage, which rack engages the gear 4-3 keyed to the t 'ansverse shaft 14 ouraalled in the side-frames 5 and 6. The outer ends of the shaft 44; carry the handles 45 by which the operator moves the carriage 39 forwardly or backwardly at will.

Journalled in the forward end of the carriage 39 is the rock-shaft 4:0 to which is fastened the arm 47 by the set-screw 18 (Fig. 3) the arm 17 carries on its outer end the folder blade 49 which is adapted to be reciprocated in cooperative relation between the folding rollers 50 and 51 mounted on the shafts and 53 respectively. The shaft 52 is suitably journalled in the carriage 39, while the shaft 53 is rotatably mounted in the journal boXes 51 slidably and yieldingly mounted in the brackets 55 secured to the top Side of the carriage 39 by means of the coil springs 56 which yieldingly hold the roller 51 in operative engagement with the roller 50. Rearwardly of the roller 50 is fastened the crossbar 57 which carries the curved guide-plates 58 extending forwardly over the top peripheral surface of the roller 50. Across the forward end of the carriage 39 is the cross-bar 59 to which is adjustably secured the lower guide-rods 00 having their outer ends 01 flattened and curved over the top surface of the roller 51. Also adjustal'ily fastened to the cross-bar 59 are the upper guide-rods G2 suitably spaced horizontally from the rods 60 to allow the sheets or signatures to slide therebetween before folding, with the leading edges of the sheets to contact with, and register against, the crossplate 63 adjustably secured by the set-screw (it to the rearwardly projecting rod 65 mounted on the bracket 66 which is adjustably fastened to the cross-bar 59 by screwbolts 07 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Any suitable side-registering mechanism to coact with the folding devices may be mounted on the carriage 39. In the embodiment shown the cross-bar 68 is slidably mounted on the carriage 39 and the bar 68 carries the side-guide plate 09 which may be transversely shi' ted on the bar 08 and secured in any predetermined position by the set-screw 70. At one end of the bar 68 is fastened the depending bracket 71 through an opening in which passes the forwardly extended rod 72 mounted in the rock-arm 7 3 which is fastened to the forward end of the shaft 74; journalled in the brackets 75 and 76 (Fig. 1) carried by the sideframe 6. The rear end of the shaft 7 1 carries the right-angled arm 77 on the end of which is pinned the cam-roller 78 which engages the side-cam 79 mounted on the end of the camshaft 26 as shown in Fig. 3. The roller 78 is maintained in operative engagement with the cam 79 by the compression-spring 80 coiled about the rod 81 sliding in the framebracket 82 between the bracket 82 and the collar 83; the upper end of the rod 81 is pinned to the rock-arm 84 secured to the shaft 7 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The tension of the spring 80 normally forces the rod 81 upwardly to hold the cam-roller 78 against the cam 79. The length of the rod 72 is such that the bracket 71 is never out of engagement even when the carriage 39 is racked forwardly as shown in Fig. 2. The reciprocation of the bar 68 with the sideguide 69 is timed with the reciprocating folder blade 49 by proper setting of the cam 80 on the shaft 26, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The folder-blade a9 is raised and lowered in timed relation with the side-guide 09 by any suitable mechanism: In the present embodiment the rock-shaft 40 carries the depending arm 85 to which is pinned the rod 86, the outer end of which is formed with the slot 87 enclosing the cam-shaft 2G to hold the rod 86 in position; the tip of the rod 86 carries the cam-roller 88 which engages the cam 89 mounted on the cam-shaft 26. The roller 88 is held in engagement with the cam 89 by the compression spring 90 coiled about the rod 91 pinned at 92 to the side-frame 5 with the free end slidably held in the block 93 secured to the arm 85. The spring 90 is held under tension between the block 93 and rod collar 94: as shown in Fig. 1.

Botatably secured in the side-frames 5 and 6 are the coacting cutting bars 95 and 96 mounted on the shafts 97 and 98 respectively. The shaft 98 is journalled in the journal boxes 99 sliding in the brackets 100; the springs 101 coiled about the rods 102 secured to the brackets 100 by nuts 103 yieldingly hold the bars 95 and 90 in cooperating relation. The bar 95 carries the circular cutting knives 10-1 on its periphery (only one knife being shown in Figs. 2 and a between the screw-collar 105 and the sliding collar 106 which carries the setscrew 107 adapted to engage in key slot 108 formed in the sleeve 109 secured to the shaft 97. The cutting edge of the knife 104k is adapted to engage with the peripheral groove formed in the collar 111. adjustably secured to the sleeve 112 by the setscrew 113, the sleeve 112 being fastened to the shaft 98. Any other means for suitably fastening the several sets of knives 011 the cutting bars 95 and 96 to secure transverse adjustment to properly slit the folded sheets longitudinally may be employed, the means shown being a convenient and practicable form.

The delivery rollers 11 1 and 115 which take the slitted folded sheets or signatures are mounted on the shafts 116 and 117 respectively, and are suitably disposed belowthe cutting bars 95and 96 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft 116 is journalled in the brackets 118 secured to the side frames 5 and 6, while the shaft 117 is journalled in the boxes 1 19 slidably secured in the brackets 118 with the springs 120 coiled about the rods 121 forcing the boxes119 to the left in Figs. 1 and 2 to yieldi-ngly hold the delivery rollers 11 1 and 115 in cooperating position. I

The folding rollers 50 and 51, the cutting bars 95 and 96 and the delivery rollers 114: and 115 are all rotated in unison and at'substantially the same peripheral speeds by any suitable mechanism: In the e1nbodiment shown the large gear-wheel 25 on the cam-shaft 26 meshes with-the idler gear 121 which engages the drive gear 122. The gear 1.22 engages with the pinion 123 mounted on the end of the shaft 52 which also carries the gear 124 in mesh with the gear 125 on the shaft 53'to rotate the folding rollers 50 and 51. The drive gear 122 also engages the pinion 126 on the outer end of the shaft 116which also carries the gear 127 in mesh with the gear 128 on the shaft 117 to rotate the delivery rollers 114- and 115 in unison.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, I have embodied means whereby the cutting bars 95 and 96 arenot only rotated in unison with the folding and delivery rollers. but also may be disconnected therefrom so that each of the cutting bars 95 and 96 may be independently rotatable. This is of advantage so that the cutting edges of the knives 104: may be readily examined and adjusted. In the present embodiment the gear 127 on the shaft 116 meshes with the idler gear 129 which engages the pinion 130 fast to the shaft 97; the pinion 130 engages with the pinion 131 secured to the shaft 98 whereby the cutting bars 95 and 96 are driven in unison. To disconnect same the idler gear 129 is secured to the shaft 132 fastened to the side-frame 5 on the hub 1341 slidable on shaft 132 as shown in Fig. 4;. Inside the hub 134 on the shaft 132 is the sliding ring 135 held to the shaft 132 by the set-screw 136 as shown, the gear 129 being meshed. with the gear 127 and pinion 130. lVhen it 95 and 96 may be independently rotated to make any necessary repairs, inspection or adjustments for the cutting knives carried by such bars.

lVhen it becomes necessary or desirable to inspector remove the cutting bars 95 and 96 or the cutting knives 104, the operator rotates either handle 45 to rack forwardly the 11 carriage 39 which moves outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1, until the carriage reaches the position shown in Fig. 2, the pinion 123 readily disengaging itself from the drive gear 122 while the folder blade .49 is elevated as the spring 90 is placed under greater compression. The side-registering device heretofore described is not disturbed in its timed relation with the folder blade '49, since the retraction or forward movement of the carriage 39 slides the bracket 71 along the rod 72-as shown in Fig. 2 without disarranging the operating mechanism to secure the properly timed reciprocation for the :s1de-gu1de plate69. Then the carriage has reached its Fig. QPGSIlJlOIl with the folding and sheet-positioning devices supported on the carriagehaving been collectively moved from operative position, the cutting bars and 96 are fully exposed and the knives 104; may be examined, adjusted or removed, particularly after the idler gear 129 is loosened and moved inwardly on the shaft 32 to disconnect the pinion 130 from the gear 127. All that is required to reassemble the parts inoperative position is for the operator to reversethe rotation of the handle 4-5 to bring the carriage back to its Fig. 1, or operative, position with the folding and sheet-positioning devices together with their respective actuating mechanisms each restored to normal operative positions without alteriu g in any respect their respective timed relations with each otherand with the coacting rotary cutting bars 95 and 96 which longitudinally slit the folded sheets or signatures passed downwardly from the folding rollers 50 and 51.

The invention is not to be limited to the particular constructions shown, nor to any particular constructions or actuating mechanism by which it may be carried into effect, as many changes and alterations may be made without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

I claim as myinvention 1. In a machine of the class descr1bed,separate sheet foldin and Jositionin devices a cooperating sheet-slitting mechanism, and

means for collectively moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, a cooperating sheet-slitting mechanism, and a single means for collectively moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism.

3. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, a cooperating sheet-slitting mechanism, and means for collectively and simultaneously moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism.

4;. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, a cooperating sheet-slitting mechanism, and a single means for collectively and simultaneously moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism.

5. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, means for separately actuating said devices in suitable timed relation, a co operating sheet-slitting mechanism, and means for collectively moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism without altering the relation of said actuating means.

6. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, machine-operated means for separately actuating said devices in suitable timed relation, a. cooperating sheet-slitting mechanism, and means for collectively moving said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism without altering the relation of said actuating means.

7. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning de vices slidably mounted in the machine, a slitting mechanism cooperating therewith carried by the machine, and means for collectively shifting said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism without moving the latter.

8. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices slidably mounted in the machine, a slitting mechanism comprising coacting rotary cutting-bars cooperating therewith carried by the machine, and means for collectively shifting said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with said cutting bars without moving the latter.

9. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices slidably mounted in the machine,

separate means for actuating said devices, a slitting mechanism cooperating therewith carried by the machine, and means for collectively shifting said folding and positioning devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism without moving the latter and without altering the relation of either of said actuating means to each other and to the slitting mechanism.

10. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, a longitudinally movable carriage supporting said devices, a slitting mechanism cooperating with said devices, and means for shifting said carriage from and toward said slitting mechanism.

11. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, a longitudinally movable carriage supporting said devices, a slitting mechanism cooperating with said devices, and means comprising a rack and pinion device for shifting said carriage from and toward said slitting mechanism.

12. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, separate means for actuating said devices in suitable timed relation, a longitudinally movable carriage supporting said devices, a slitting mechanism cooperating with said devices, and means for shifting said carriage fro-m and toward said slitting mechanism without altering the relation of either of said actuating means to each other and to said slitting mechanism.

13. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning de vices, separate means for actuating said devices in suitable timed relation, a longitudinally movable carriage supporting said devices, ooacting rotary cutting bars to slit the sheets, and means for shifting said carriage from and toward said slitting mechanism without altering the relation of either of said actuating means to each other and to said cutting bars.

14;. In a machine of the class described, separate sheet folding and positioning devices, separate means for actuating said de vices in suitable timed relation, a carriage longitudinally movable supporting said devices, coacting cutting bars to slit the sheets, means for rotating same, and means comprising a rack and pinion device for shifting said carriage from and toward said slitting mechanism Without altering the relation of either of said actuating means to each other and to said slitting mechanism.

15. In a machine of the class described, folding rollers, means for feeding sheets thereto, separate sheet-positioning devices with means for actuating same, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers and sheet-positioning devices, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and means for collectively moving said folding rollers, sheet-positioning de vices and folder blade from and into operative position with the sheet-feeding means and slitting mechanism without altering their respective timed relations.

16. In a machine of the class described, folding rollers, means for feeding sheets thereto, separate sheet-positioning devices with means for actuating same, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers and sheet-positioning devices, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and means for collectively and simultaneously moving said folding rollers, sheet positioning devices and folder blade from and into operative position with the sheet-feeding means and slitting mechanism without altering their respective timed relations.

17. In a machine of the class described, folding rollers, means for feeding sheet-s thereto, separate sheet-positioning devices with means for actuating same, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers and sheet-positioning devices, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and a single means for collectively moving said folding rollers, sheet positioning devices and folder blade from and into operative position Vltll the sheet-feeding means and slitting mechanism without altering their respective timed relations.

18. In a machine of the class described, folding rollers, means for feeding sheets thereto, separate sheet-positioning devices with means for actuating same, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers and sheet-positioning devices, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and a single means for collectively and simultaneously moving said folding rollers, sheet positioning devices and folder blade from and into operative position with the sheet-feeding means and slitting mechanism without altering their respective timed relations.

19. In a machine of the class described, sheet folding devices, a cooperating sheetslitting mechanism, and means for moving said folding devices from and into operative position with the slitting mechanism without altering their coacting timed relation.

20. In a machine of the class described, sheet folding rollers, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and means for collectively moving said folding rollers and blade from and into operative position with the cutting bars without altering their timed relation with each other and with said cutting bars.

21. In a machine of the class described, sheet folding rollers, a reciprocating folder blade coacting with said rollers, a slitting mechanism comprising rotary cutting bars to longitudinally divide the sheets when folded, and means for collectively and simultaneously moving said folding rollers and blade from and into operative position with the cutting bars without altering their timed relation with each other and with said cutting bars.

HARRY EHLIG. 

